Betty J. Colescott Turner, who was just shy of 97, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 9:32 p.m. on July 28, 2023 at Vita of Marion. She was born in Kokomo, Indiana to Robert and Lena Colescott on October 13, 1926. Betty married the late Paul Turner on October 26, 1946 and they were married nearly 70 years. They purchased their first home in 1947, where Betty continued to reside until she needed assisted living care at Vita in early 2023. She lived nearly 77 years in the same home.
Betty’s family moved to Gas City in 1935 when she was in the 3rd grade and nine years of age.
Her father had operated a restaurant and miniature golf course in Kokomo, before losing everything during the Depression of 1929. Jack Courtney’s grandfather, who operated a bakery in Gas City, suggested he come to Gas City and open a restaurant. Colescott’s Cafe was a very popular downtown diner from 1935 through the late 50s.
Betty was the oldest of three siblings in the Colescott family. Her sister, Patty, passed in 2020. Her brother, Jack Colescott, survives and is still living in Gas City.
Preceding her in death were her sisters-in-law, Marjorie Colescott, Geraldine Turner, Janie Turner Elliott, Gerry Turner, Meta Turner, Susan Turner and brothers-in-law, Bill Maynard, Andy Turner, Jack Turner, Monte Turner, Raymond Jones and Bill Elliott. Betty’s niece, and special caregiver for both her and Paul, Cheryl Murphy also preceded her in death.
Brother-in-law, Dick Turner, Marion, survives.
She is also survived by the longtime administrative assistant for the Turner family businesses, and her special caregiver, Becky Pattison.
Betty and Paul had three children, Eric (Cyndy) Turner, Cicero, Lori (Butch) Slater, Warsaw, and Kyle (Pam), Marion.
They had 10 grandchildren, Zeke (Milissa) Turner, Cicero, Jessa (Russ) Stults, Cicero, Kylee (Adam) McMurray, Upland and Courtney (Jay D) Milbank, Noblesville, David (Carley) Slater, Spring, Texas, Grant Slater, Warsaw, Karli (Blaine) Allen, South Bend, Cole (Emily) Turner, Watertown, NY, Emily (Nick) Duke, Fort Wayne, and Allison (Taylor) Ferrell, Noblesville.
Betty had 29 great grandchildren: Elijah, Roman, CharleyAnn, Caleb, Eman, Jubilee, Brooklyn, Edmond, Juliette, Zion, and Alexander Turner; Sanders, Caroline, and Cooper Stults; Kolton, Chase, Knox McMurray; Jemma, Jameson, Jensen Milbank; Norah, Graham and Harrison Turner; Nico and Elin Duke; Turner James (TJ) Farrell; Cohen, Finley and Cru Slater.
Betty attended Gas City High School graduating in 1944. She often reminded her children her senior class was the only Gas City High School class who did not get a yearbook, due to WWII.
At the suggestion of her sister, Patty and her future brother-in-law, Bill Maynard, she had her first date with her future husband, Paul Turner, at a Sadie Hawkins dance in 1944, before Paul was drafted out of high school and served in the United States Navy, during WWII. When he returned home from the war, in March of 1946, they got together and were married on October 26, 1946.
Following high school, Betty attended Fort Wayne Business College and later, Marion Business College.
She worked for two years at Slick Glass, which became Knox Glass and then Glass Containers, as an assistant to Bob Sloan, Treasurer of the company.
In the 3 years prior to her first child in 1951, she worked for her parents, at Colescott’s Cafe in downtown Gas City, and then spent the rest of her life being a housewife and raising three kids, and following her grandkids and great grandkids.
Betty was a committed Christian from a young age and brought her children up in the church. Betty was very involved with her church, First United Methodist in Gas City, since she was 9 years old and volunteered for many church activities, including hundreds of funeral dinners. She exhibited her faith as a Christian in the way she lived her life and how she treated others.
She also served for many years as a Republican precinct committeeman.
She had a servant’s heart and throughout her life Betty Turner was a giver, whether it was for family, friends or just someone in need, she never hesitated to help.
Betty and her late husband were very active and generous givers to the local We Care organization to help those in need in the Gas City community.
Betty and Paul were models of how to be parents, grandparents and great grandparents. It was a very rare occasion when they missed an activity or sporting event.
Paul and Betty Turner developed and built The Meadows at Walnut Creek, a premier 68 lot housing subdivision in Gas City.
Turner Plaza, on the Taylor University campus is named for Paul and Betty Turner. The plaza, with a fire pit, is a campus hub between Odle Arena, Winterholter Field and Turner Stadium.
Turner Park, home of Gas City’s Splash Pad, Fitness Court, Pavilion and future walk trails and wedding chapel, is named for Paul and Betty Turner. Betty was especially pleased to see the former 20+ acre Family Fireworks property become a public park in her hometown.
Betty and Paul, along with their family, established the Paul E Turner Foundation to assist individuals and Christian organizations in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Betty and Paul, together, supported many Christian ministries including Taylor University, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Lightrider Ministries.
Betty and Paul were involved in a number of business ventures including Turner Distributing Company, Family Fireworks Company, and T3 Investments among others.
Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 7, 2023, at Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel, 400 East Main Street, Gas City, IN.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Gas City First United Methodist Church 213 E. S. A St.. A viewing from will be from 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m., prior to the service. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a Memorial contribution can be made, in Betty’s name, for Turner Park. Checks should be made payable to Main Street Gas City, for Turner Park, in care of the Gas City Clerk’s Office, 211 E. Main Street, Gas City, IN 46933.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
To send flowers to the family of Betty, please visit our floral store.